What a lucky break for Russia, as there will be no protests from anyone in the US over this incident – because it happened to a North Korean vessel.

Previously, Russian relations with North Korean have been stable, and some might even say, heading in a positive direction. However, some recent provocations by Pyongyang have set diplomacy backwards, on paper at least, for members of the northern Asia-Pacific region.

“North Korea’s latest nuclear test and satellite launch caught Russia in a double-bind; even as they harmed the DPRK’s reputation among Russia’s leaders and public…” (Source: The Diplomat)